Gunsmithing Why does everybody use Cerakote, wheres KG?

jonaddis84

jonaddis84

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Jan 27, 2009
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#1
I just got curious about this. All I see on this forum is talk about using Cerakote. I personally use KG and love the stuff, the bake on stands up to anything I throw at it, including MEK and Montana Extreme copper killer.

Just wondering if its a personal preference, or if theres something I dont know about Cerakote that makes it superior.
 
#4
Re: Why does everybody use Cerakote, wheres KG?

I doubt either of those is KG, most likely Duracoat or something non-oven cured.

Literally the only way I could possibly remove the KG on any of the several guns Ive done so far would be to sandblast. It is also extremely hard and good lubricity.

My 308 bolt has probably gone forward and back about 1000 times since I did it and its barely worn.

Also, Im sure you know this, but Id take any study done by the manufacturer itself with a grain of salt, especially when they start using "competitor 1 & 2" reports as well.
 
#5
Re: Why does everybody use Cerakote, wheres KG?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jonaddis84</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Also, Im sure you know this, but Id take any study done by the manufacturer itself with a grain of salt, especially when they start using "competitor 1 & 2" reports as well. </div></div>

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When I worked in industry, I used to refer to Marketing as the "Department of Professional Liars"
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Very interesting about the GK. I will have 2 barreled actions to shoot in a month or so, and GK is attractive because it does not need to be mixed. I'm just using it as a durable base to spray Krylon over and to protect the actions from rust (they're CrMo.) But I'd like something durable for places like bolt raceways...

John
 
#6
Re: Why does everybody use Cerakote, wheres KG?

Yeah, Ive found as long as it is applied perfectly according to their instructions it is very good looking and durable.

Dont skip the K-Phos step, and dont skimp on it either, a good solid coating of this etching really helps.

The hotter the better when actually spraying the part, I get a barreled action up to about 150-170 degrees so that throughout me spraying it, it never cools below 120 degrees, this eliminates any runs completely as it dries on contact basically.

I still suck at spraying paint, although I am getting better, but my finishes still turn out great and Im very happy with it.

If you dont have a spray gun already, and dont want to drop a load of coin, Ill get you the part # of a great one, perfect size, from harbor freight.
 
#7
Re: Why does everybody use Cerakote, wheres KG?

I've tried both and I'm sticking with GunKote. I was sent a sample package from Cerakote with two colors and it took about 10 tries to get an acceptable result. Gunkote is simple, cheaper, and the results are pretty damn good. I've yet to have one returned and I agree that if done properly, GunKote is pretty hard to remove on purpose. So far, AK Black is my favorite. I've done several rifles with the AK Black and everyone loves it. I've mixed up a batch of 1/2 Satin and 1/2 AK which I read on another forums as being the perfect black but I haven't tried it out yet. Probably going on the Savage FV project.

Mike
 
#9
Re: Why does everybody use Cerakote, wheres KG?

I can tell you this for sure, Flat black will look grey when compared to AK Black. Their flat black is the flattest color I have ever seen. Even when oiled, its flat. I like it but once I painted a rifle (my wife's was the first) with AK Black, that's my color. Satin Black is OK as well but I've only done one shotgun with it that was badly pitted and didn't really have a great base to begin with.

Here's the best pic I have to show the difference: Notice the bolt. That's where you can see the difference. Top rifle is AK black, bottom is Flat Black.
P1030191.JPG
 
#11
Re: Why does everybody use Cerakote, wheres KG?

I have tried Duracoat, Cerakote, and KG. The Duracoat was just not for me and the Cerakote, although very durable compared to Duracoat, was extremely finiky with application. I use an Iwata LPH80 gun and have lots of spraying experience (body shop in my youth) and still found the Cerakote finish not exactly what I was looking for. To me the GunKote offers a fantastic looking durable finish that is more forgiving to apply. It's my choice as I like a thin finish that looks like a "blued" or black oxide'd barrel. I do not like a coating that looks "painted". These two are the KG flat black. SR


Apache308001-3.jpg


MHames284WinXP057.jpg
 
#14
Re: Why does everybody use Cerakote, wheres KG?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HillbillyfromAL</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've found that using an airbrush is the best way to apply the Cerakote.
</div></div>

+1 I didn't get good results from the HVLP sprayers even with filters and following what others did to get good results. Airbrush has always yielded great results.
 
#16
Re: Why does everybody use Cerakote, wheres KG?

We use KG. Buy 2400S Satin Black by the gallon and love it. With the satin, depending on thinning and application you can get a almost gloss to flat finish. Plus the colors are very true and they have a great selection. Price vs. quality is hard to beat.

We apply it over fresh parkerizing, and have had super results with final appearance and wear. My husbands carry gun rolled with him every day for 4-5 years, on duty in the desert, and was just begining to show holster wear on the sharp edges.

We also use KG products on car, atv, and motorcycle parts. I wish I could paint my whole 4runner in it, but it won't fit in the oven.
 
#17
Re: Why does everybody use Cerakote, wheres KG?

I used the gun that comes with the Cerakote kits but was thinking about using an airbrush for camo patterns. Which airbrushes have worked well with the product? It is a PITA to apply evenly. I thought more light would help, but still ended up with some thin spots.
 
#20
Re: Why does everybody use Cerakote, wheres KG?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JamieD</div><div class="ubbcode-body">An <span style="font-weight: bold">Iwata detail gun</span> will work real well. It costs a little more but the finish you will get is worth it. I believe NIC sells them for $350 plus shipping.

JamieD
</div></div>

Jamie,

Not being familiar with various sprayers, how does this gun differ from say a Badger air brush?

I have one of these that I have used extensively with good results for Norell's Moly Resin.

I'm thinking of trying Cerakote and was wondering if the equipment I have will work, or is the nature of the product different?

Thanks,
Mark

 
#21
Re: Why does everybody use Cerakote, wheres KG?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cshooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">just to throw something else out there what is your alls opinion of hydro-coating as far as durability </div></div>
cs, I have used several dozen hydro transfer bows and other high end archery products and my opinion is the hydro dip is crap. It looks cool until you use it for a year and the pattern wears off exposing the off-white base color. Also, bug spray strips it off like paint stripper. I stopped using this stuff until it's perfected. Quality is going up in the last few years, however. As far as spray finishes, I prefer the Cerakote. It is almost impossible to chip, scratch or remove without media blasting. The texture reminds me of metal, not paint or plastic.
 
#23
Re: Why does everybody use Cerakote, wheres KG?

I'm not really familier with the Badger Airbrush - maybe someone else could chime in. I have a smaller airbrush that I use for brakes and such but I seem to get a better more consistant result with a detail gun when doing barreled actions.

Good Luck,

JamieD


______________________________
Jamie Dodson
814-262-7994
Wolf Precision
AI Stocks and Accessories
 
#24
Re: Why does everybody use Cerakote, wheres KG?

anybody have any experience with the air-cure gunkote?

seems to me it might be a good alternative to duracoat or alumahyde for those that cant really bake a whole barreled action.
 
#25
Re: Why does everybody use Cerakote, wheres KG?

I use the air cure on stocks and optics. Ive had really good experience with it so far, its not quite as resiliant as the bake on, but its really close.

It is a little trickier to apply than the bake on since you cant heat up the parts quite as hot as using the 2400, just have to be more careful and apply thinner coats.

Just make sure you do not clean the part you are spraying with MEK like you do with 2400, it will eat the air cure if you dont get every drop of it off the part, and it will soak into porous metal. You only need to clean the parts with soapy water and rinse well.

I ran into this when coating my old Falcon, I wiped it down with MEK and went to spraying, halfway through it all started running off for no apparent reason. Wiped it all off and started over, this time washing it with soap and water instead. Turned out great that time.
 
#26
Re: Why does everybody use Cerakote, wheres KG?

i have used the Norrell's Moly Resin for several projects. the old school ar15 gray perfectly matched a old colt upper. the flat black worked really well on a badger m5 dbm. i used a cheapy badger air brush and worked pretty good. just bought a badger 155 anthem airbrush just for doing gun parts. just curios why nobody else used Norrell's....
 
#27
Re: Why does everybody use Cerakote, wheres KG?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: oldolds442</div><div class="ubbcode-body">i have used the Norrell's Moly Resin for several projects. the old school ar15 gray perfectly matched a old colt upper. the flat black worked really well on a badger m5 dbm. i used a cheapy badger air brush and worked pretty good. just bought a badger 155 anthem airbrush just for doing gun parts. just curios why nobody else used Norrell's.... </div></div>

Never heard of it is the reason I dont use it
 
#28
Re: Why does everybody use Cerakote, wheres KG?

did some research a few years ago, and used in on some ak47 builds, and an ar15, and just used it for the badger dbm. you beadblast, spray, then bake at 350deg for 1 hour. has moly in it so is has some lubrication properties
 
#29
Re: Why does everybody use Cerakote, wheres KG?

I've used them all, and I've found that cerakote is the best in terms of a final coating. Being able to adjust sheen to fit a clients desire is a big advantage. Applying cerakote well is all in the prep and air/material spray ratio.
I've tried all of the three finishes and I feel like Cerakote is superior to the others in many regards. In particular I have found cerakote to have the best in wear resistance. Again it all depends on how its being applied and onto what.
 
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